Characterizing temperature dependent complex electrical impedance analysis of LaFe 1 - X Zn x O3(x = 0.03, 0.05, and 0.07) ceramics

LaFe1-xZnxO3 (x = 0.03, 0.05, and 0.07) ceramics were prepared in two steps: preparation of the powder form by a sol-gel method followed by sintering-annealing treatments to form the bulk-phase. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that all ceramics were crystallized in the orthorhombic perovskite structure with Pbnm symmetry. Grain size distribution and morphological characteristics were investigated by scanning electron microscopy. Specific surface area was analyzed through BET-BJH methods. Electrical impedance analysis was investigated as a function of frequency at various temperatures. It was found that the electrical behavior is dominated by grain boundary contribution, i.e., electrical conductivity. The frequency dependence of the complex conductivity was analyzed through Joncher's power law and the dominance of translational motion with a sudden hopping mechanism in the electrical conduction mechanism increased with increasing Zn content. Activation energy decreased with increasing Zn content.